How many times have you stayed up looking at your computer screen with the intention of beginning to write that essay for that class that you despise?
You stare at the screen and can't even get your fingers to start typing because the only thought that your brain is propelling is the hatred and agony that it brings you to even get started on the introduction. You started the essay with this mentality, sure that you were going to hate what you were doing, and your only motivation is turning in the assignment on time so your teacher doesn’t send an email home.
If you get a bad grade, whatever right? Who cares? There's probably going to be 100 more assignments during the semester that will end up boosting your grade and disregarding negating this “stupid essay”.
How many of us are guilty of this kind of attitude? Of this type of work ethic?
I am not proud to admit that I was guilty of having this mediocre and negative attitude towards my assignments for school for a very long time. I hated going to school because I had to learn things that weren't in my interest and I kept on promising myself things like:
“ Next time I will read the rubric and follow the specifications”
“ For the next assignment, I will start working the day they give it to me”
“ My next assignment, is going to be excellent”
“ Next year you will notice a drastic change in attitude”
But did I really, follow through with these thoughts?
No.
Why?
It was not because I didn't want to, but because that motivation to be better and actually work hard wasn’t born within me. I wanted to do it because I wanted to get the grades, because I wanted to get into that college and I wanted my parents to stop giving me those motivational talks so that I would change my grades.
I never took Never did I take the initiative because I wanted to be better, because I wanted to grow as a learner,or because I wanted to feel fulfilled.
This is one regret that I feel ashamed of. It took me too long to realize how closed minded and stubborn I was being.
You're are not always going to like what you are supposed to do. Facing something that you dislike with a positive attitude and a clear perspective is the best way to overcome it. Instead of thinking of all the reasons why you don't want to do it, think of one positive thing you will receive from it, and make it your motivation.
It’s very easy to hold something that you don't want to do, for tomorrow. But guess what? Tomorrow turns into the day the assignment is due. There is nothing worse than doing an assignment the night before. Sleepiness, anger and lack of interest make an explosive combination. Trust me, I have a little too much experience in that department.
Take pride in everything you do. Even if it’s an assignment that doesn’t have a “grade”, or you see it as “insignificant” treat it as if it were your English midterm. Make it your best. If you are proud of what you are doing, it is more likely that your assignment will reflect this.
Reflect and always be honest. When you revise and assignment, is it really your best work? Or can you do even better? If it doesn't challenge you, then it really won't help you improve.
If you consider it “easy”, then use it to your own benefit. Don't rush through it, give it your best effort, do it with passion and enjoy it. If it comes simpler to you, then it's the perfect opportunity to excel and make beautiful work
Enjoy every step of your learning. Work harder on the assignments you dislike. Trust me, you can't escape them so might as well enjoy them. It wouldn't surprise me if you ended up discovering that you actually enjoy them.
I can tell you from my own personal experience that it can be very easy to give up and settle for mediocrity but in the end it's not worth it. Not only are you harming your learning and grades, but you are also closing your doors to a lot of opportunities that you might have never even considered present. Hard doesn’t mean impossible, and easy doesn’t mean average.
Do it for you, because you want to be better. Another reason is not a good reason.
You stare at the screen and can't even get your fingers to start typing because the only thought that your brain is propelling is the hatred and agony that it brings you to even get started on the introduction. You started the essay with this mentality, sure that you were going to hate what you were doing, and your only motivation is turning in the assignment on time so your teacher doesn’t send an email home.
If you get a bad grade, whatever right? Who cares? There's probably going to be 100 more assignments during the semester that will end up boosting your grade and disregarding negating this “stupid essay”.
How many of us are guilty of this kind of attitude? Of this type of work ethic?
I am not proud to admit that I was guilty of having this mediocre and negative attitude towards my assignments for school for a very long time. I hated going to school because I had to learn things that weren't in my interest and I kept on promising myself things like:
“ Next time I will read the rubric and follow the specifications”
“ For the next assignment, I will start working the day they give it to me”
“ My next assignment, is going to be excellent”
“ Next year you will notice a drastic change in attitude”
But did I really, follow through with these thoughts?
No.
Why?
It was not because I didn't want to, but because that motivation to be better and actually work hard wasn’t born within me. I wanted to do it because I wanted to get the grades, because I wanted to get into that college and I wanted my parents to stop giving me those motivational talks so that I would change my grades.
I never took Never did I take the initiative because I wanted to be better, because I wanted to grow as a learner,or because I wanted to feel fulfilled.
This is one regret that I feel ashamed of. It took me too long to realize how closed minded and stubborn I was being.
You're are not always going to like what you are supposed to do. Facing something that you dislike with a positive attitude and a clear perspective is the best way to overcome it. Instead of thinking of all the reasons why you don't want to do it, think of one positive thing you will receive from it, and make it your motivation.
It’s very easy to hold something that you don't want to do, for tomorrow. But guess what? Tomorrow turns into the day the assignment is due. There is nothing worse than doing an assignment the night before. Sleepiness, anger and lack of interest make an explosive combination. Trust me, I have a little too much experience in that department.
Take pride in everything you do. Even if it’s an assignment that doesn’t have a “grade”, or you see it as “insignificant” treat it as if it were your English midterm. Make it your best. If you are proud of what you are doing, it is more likely that your assignment will reflect this.
Reflect and always be honest. When you revise and assignment, is it really your best work? Or can you do even better? If it doesn't challenge you, then it really won't help you improve.
If you consider it “easy”, then use it to your own benefit. Don't rush through it, give it your best effort, do it with passion and enjoy it. If it comes simpler to you, then it's the perfect opportunity to excel and make beautiful work
Enjoy every step of your learning. Work harder on the assignments you dislike. Trust me, you can't escape them so might as well enjoy them. It wouldn't surprise me if you ended up discovering that you actually enjoy them.
I can tell you from my own personal experience that it can be very easy to give up and settle for mediocrity but in the end it's not worth it. Not only are you harming your learning and grades, but you are also closing your doors to a lot of opportunities that you might have never even considered present. Hard doesn’t mean impossible, and easy doesn’t mean average.
Do it for you, because you want to be better. Another reason is not a good reason.